Welcome to Turning Corners
Our broken politics and failing institutions so often keep us from accomplishing real change—the kind that could lift people up and remind us that we really are in this together. But here in the Four Corners states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, there are a lot of real, committed people doing groundbreaking work to strengthen communities, bridge old divides, reduce inequality, and save the planet. They bring their unique cultures and histories to bear. They also bring a uniquely Southwestern-style courage and public spirit, along with a can-do, no-bullshit attitude. They’re tackling big problems, so they don’t always succeed. But their stories can be an inspiration for people all over the country. That’s why Turning Corners exists—to bring those stories to you.
Wade Roush is the show’s creator, producer, and host. He’s based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and for over 30 years he’s explored the worlds of science, science fiction, technology, innovation, and culture, through his books, short stories, print and online journalism, and podcasts.
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About the show’s logo
The Four Corners monument on Diné land (at 36.99898°N 109.04517°W) is the only place in the country where the boundaries of four states all meet up at one geometrical point. In fact, there’s a bronze marker there, and if you stand right on top of it, you can be in all four states at once. (Maybe I’ll make an episode about that, because there’s an interesting story behind why that monument is not at exactly 37.00000°N.)
It’s a fun place to visit. But what I like most about the Four Corners monument is the way it unites four states with such amazing people, such beautiful landscapes, such ancient cultures, such a huge role in America’s westward expansion in the 19th century and in the birth of the Cold War in the 20th century, and such unique ways of adapting and innovating for the 21st century. That’s why the show is called Turning Corners—and that’s how the monument became the inspiration for the show’s logo.
